"Episode 6550" of the British television soap opera ''
EastEnders
''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...
'' was broadcast in the United Kingdom on
BBC One
BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, p ...
on 5 September 2022. The episode was directed by Toby Frow and written by
Simon Ashdown
Simon Ashdown is a British television writer, best known as being a BAFTA award-nominated ''EastEnders'' writer.
Career
From 1995 to 2013, Ashdown was series consultant and lead writer on ''EastEnders''. He was involved in the creation of the Sl ...
. It takes the form of a flashback episode, set in both the present and in January 1979, and explores the reason for
DCI Samantha Keeble
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' which aired in 2008 (by order of first appearance). All characters were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer. Santer introduced four ch ...
's vendetta against the
Mitchell family
The Mitchell family is a fictional family in ''EastEnders''. They were first introduced in February 1990, when brothers Phil ( Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) bought the local garage – the Arches. Their sister Sam (Danniella ...
.
The episode was first announced in July 2022, when it was reported that
Jaime Winstone
Jaime Margaret Winstone (born 6 May 1985) is an English actress, best known for her roles in ''Kidulthood'', ''Dead Set'', '' After Hours'' and her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in ''Babs''.
Early life and education
Winstone was born in Camden ...
, who had previously portrayed a young
Barbara Windsor
Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress, known for her roles in the ''Carry On'' films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera, ''EastEnders''.[Babs Babs or BABS may refer to:
People
* Nickname of Barbara Windsor (1937-2020), British actress
* Babs McMillan, Australian actress
* Babs Olusanmokun, American actor
* Babs Reingold, American artist
* Babs Fafunwa (1923-2010), Nigerian educationist ...]
'', would appear as Peggy. The episode also featured the first on-screen appearance of Peggy's husband,
Eric
The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization).
The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...
, as well as other members of the Mitchell family. The episode won praise among critics and viewers alike, with viewers calling for further flashback episodes to be made. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw signalled his interest in making further flashback episodes.
Plot
DCI Samantha Keeble
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' which aired in 2008 (by order of first appearance). All characters were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer. Santer introduced four ch ...
(
Alison Newman
Alison Newman (born 25 January 1968) is a British actress, best known for her role in the hit ITV1 television series ''Footballers' Wives'' as Hazel Bailey, and as DCI Samantha Keeble in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''.
Biography
Alison N ...
) meets with
Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced to the soap opera on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother Grant Mitchell (EastEnders), Grant (Ross Kemp), s ...
(
Steve McFadden
Steve Robert McFadden (né Reid; born 20 March 1959) is an English actor. He is known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'', which he has played since 1990. He was also the presenter of the game show, ''Britain's ...
) in her car. Keeble tells Phil that she wants him to inform on his cousin
Billy Mitchell
William Lendrum Mitchell (December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936) was a United States Army officer who is regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.
Mitchell served in France during World War I and, by the conflict's end, command ...
(
Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick (born 29 May 1962) is an English actor. He is known for portraying the role of Billy Mitchell (EastEnders), Billy Mitchell in the BBC One, BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', a role which he has played since 1998.
Career
Television
...
), to which Phil refuses to do so.
In January 1979, the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
is in the grip of the
Winter of Discontent
The Winter of Discontent was the period between November 1978 and February 1979 in the United Kingdom characterised by widespread strikes by private, and later public, sector trade unions demanding pay rises greater than the limits Prime Minis ...
, and
the Mitchells are living in the London district of
Limehouse
Limehouse is a district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London. It is east of Charing Cross, on the northern bank of the River Thames. Its proximity to the river has given it a strong maritime character, which it retains throug ...
. As the family eat dinner, patriarch
Eric Mitchell (
George Russo) learns that Phil (Daniel Delaney) has found a job as a garage mechanic and is furious. He also tries to dissuade Phil's brother
Grant
Grant or Grants may refer to:
Places
*Grant County (disambiguation)
Australia
* Grant, Queensland, a locality in the Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia
United Kingdom
*Castle Grant
United States
* Grant, Alabama
*Grant, Inyo County, C ...
(Teddy Jay) from his wish to join the
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces, also known as His Majesty's Armed Forces, are the military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, s ...
, telling them both they should do a real job and he is going to give them some "work experience". He leaves his wife
Peggy (
Jaime Winstone
Jaime Margaret Winstone (born 6 May 1985) is an English actress, best known for her roles in ''Kidulthood'', ''Dead Set'', '' After Hours'' and her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in ''Babs''.
Early life and education
Winstone was born in Camden ...
) at home with their young daughter
Sam
Sam, SAM or variants may refer to:
Places
* Sam, Benin
* Sam, Boulkiemdé, Burkina Faso
* Sam, Bourzanga, Burkina Faso
* Sam, Kongoussi, Burkina Faso
* Sam, Iran
* Sam, Teton County, Idaho, United States, a populated place
People and fictional ...
(Laila Murphy) and forces Phil and Grant to join him in an armed robbery at a warehouse alongside his cousin
Stephen (Dean Roberts), and his sons
Charlie
Charlie may refer to:
Characters
* "Charlie," the head of the Townsend Agency', from the ''Charlie's Angels'' franchise
* Charlie, a character on signs for the CharlieCard, a smart card issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
* ...
(Charlie Heptinstall) and Billy (George Greenland). When Peggy objects to his actions, Eric assaults her.
While Eric and the boys are away, Peggy is visited by Eric's brother
Archie
Archie is a masculine given name, a diminutive of Archibald. It may refer to:
People Given name or nickname
*Archie Alexander (1888–1958), African-American mathematician, engineer and governor of the US Virgin Islands
* Archie Blake (mathematici ...
(
Henry Garrett), his wife
Glenda (
Rose Reynolds), and their two young daughters,
Ronnie
Ronnie may refer to:
*Ronnie (name), a unisex pet name and given name
* "Ronnie" (Four Seasons song), a song by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe
*"Ronnie," a song from the Metallica album ''Load''
*Ronnie Brunswijkstadion, an association football stadium ...
(Lucia De Wan) and
Roxy (Elodie De Rohan Willner). Archie and Peggy have a conversation before he leaves for the evening to meet with a mistress, and it is suggested there is some mutual attraction between him and Peggy.
Peggy and Glenda then talk in the kitchen, sharing a drink and discussing their husbands, while their children play in the front room. However, Peggy furiously scolds Ronnie and Roxy after they encourage Sam to draw on the wallpaper, leading to an argument between her and Glenda, which ends with Peggy ejecting her sister-in-law.
At the warehouse, Eric and the boys steal
video recorders when they are caught by a security guard (
Christopher Pizzey
Christopher Pizzey (born 23 December 1976) is a British actor and comedian from London, best known for playing Mr. Stephen in the CBBC series ''The Basil Brush Show''.
Early life
Pizzey was born and raised in London and graduated from the Rose ...
). Billy falls from a ladder while trying to steal a
VHS package before Eric orders everyone to leave and desert him. However, Phil and Grant decide to save Billy, leading to Phil holding the security guard at gunpoint while Stephen and Charlie leave. Eric attempts to goad Phil into shooting the security guard with the words "
Let him have it!", but the guard pleads with Phil, telling him he has a young daughter. When Phil cannot bring himself to pull the trigger, Eric takes the gun from him, orders the others to leave and then shoots the security guard dead.
Phil later confronts Eric about the shooting. When he, Grant, and Eric return home, Peggy tries to stop Eric from attacking Phil by threatening him with a knife. Phil then steps in to prevent Eric from hitting Peggy, ultimately overpowering him with threats to kill Eric if he harms Peggy again.
Back in the present, Keeble reveals to Phil that the security guard that Eric killed that night was her father, Malcolm. She once again orders Phil to inform on Billy, warning him he will go back to prison if he does not do so.
Cast
*
Steve McFadden
Steve Robert McFadden (né Reid; born 20 March 1959) is an English actor. He is known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'', which he has played since 1990. He was also the presenter of the game show, ''Britain's ...
as
Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced to the soap opera on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother Grant Mitchell (EastEnders), Grant (Ross Kemp), s ...
** Daniel Delaney as young Phil Mitchell
*
Alison Newman
Alison Newman (born 25 January 1968) is a British actress, best known for her role in the hit ITV1 television series ''Footballers' Wives'' as Hazel Bailey, and as DCI Samantha Keeble in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''.
Biography
Alison N ...
as
DCI Samantha Keeble
** Phoebe Rose Gordon as young Samantha Keeble
* Teddy Jay as
Grant Mitchell
* Laila Murphy as
Sam Mitchell
*
Jaime Winstone
Jaime Margaret Winstone (born 6 May 1985) is an English actress, best known for her roles in ''Kidulthood'', ''Dead Set'', '' After Hours'' and her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in ''Babs''.
Early life and education
Winstone was born in Camden ...
as
Peggy Mitchell
*
George Russo as
Eric Mitchell
* George Greenland as
Billy Mitchell
William Lendrum Mitchell (December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936) was a United States Army officer who is regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.
Mitchell served in France during World War I and, by the conflict's end, command ...
* Charlie Heptinstall as
Charlie Mitchell
* Dean Roberts as
Stephen Mitchell
*
Henry Garrett as
Archie Mitchell
*
Rose Reynolds as
Glenda Mitchell
Glenda Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Glynis Barber. The character first appeared in the programme on 7 January 2010. She was axed in February 2011 and departed on 8 March 2011. She returned ...
* Lucia De Wan as
Ronnie Mitchell
Veronica "Ronnie" Branning (also Mitchell) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, ''EastEnders'', played by Samantha Womack. She and her younger sister Roxy Mitchell (played by Rita Simons) were introduced by executive producer Dieder ...
* Elodie De Rohan Willner as
Roxy Mitchell
* Andrew Mayer as security guard
*
Christopher Pizzey
Christopher Pizzey (born 23 December 1976) is a British actor and comedian from London, best known for playing Mr. Stephen in the CBBC series ''The Basil Brush Show''.
Early life
Pizzey was born and raised in London and graduated from the Rose ...
as Malcolm Keeble
* David Ajayi as police officer
* Lizzie Grace as Mrs Keeble
Announcement
Details of the episode were first announced on 26 July 2022, when it was revealed that a flashback episode taking place in 1979 and featuring a younger version of
Peggy Mitchell would air in the autumn, with
Jaime Winstone
Jaime Margaret Winstone (born 6 May 1985) is an English actress, best known for her roles in ''Kidulthood'', ''Dead Set'', '' After Hours'' and her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in ''Babs''.
Early life and education
Winstone was born in Camden ...
having been chosen to play the part of Peggy. The character had first been introduced in 1991, when she was played for a few episodes by
Jo Warne
Josephine Margaret Warne (2 January 1938 – 13 January 2017), better known as Jo Warne, was an English actress, who briefly played Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', making her first appearance on 30 April 1991. She appeared i ...
, before
Barbara Windsor
Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress, known for her roles in the ''Carry On'' films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera, ''EastEnders''.[Babs Babs or BABS may refer to:
People
* Nickname of Barbara Windsor (1937-2020), British actress
* Babs McMillan, Australian actress
* Babs Olusanmokun, American actor
* Babs Reingold, American artist
* Babs Fafunwa (1923-2010), Nigerian educationist ...]
'', portraying the actress in her 20s and 30s. It was reported the episode would explore some of the
Mitchell family
The Mitchell family is a fictional family in ''EastEnders''. They were first introduced in February 1990, when brothers Phil ( Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) bought the local garage – the Arches. Their sister Sam (Danniella ...
's history, and Winstone spoke of her delight at being chosen to play the role of Peggy: "It's been such an honour to step into Peggy Mitchell's shoes for the first time, and into Barbara's shoes for the second time". The episode would also feature the first onscreen appearance of Peggy's husband,
Eric Mitchell, who would be portrayed by
George Russo, as well as other previously unseen family members, and take place in early 1979, against the backdrop of the
Winter of Discontent
The Winter of Discontent was the period between November 1978 and February 1979 in the United Kingdom characterised by widespread strikes by private, and later public, sector trade unions demanding pay rises greater than the limits Prime Minis ...
, where "clues to
hils present" would "undoubtedly be revealed".
Winstone said that Windsor, who died in 2020, was happy with her selection for ''Babs'', telling her, "You're more me than me but you've got to make this your own", but spoke of feeling intimidated by the thought of playing the younger version of Peggy. She ultimately decided to accept the part after seeing a "beautiful blonde butterfly knocking around my garden for a couple of days" while considering whether to take on the role, and feeling this was Windsor signalling her approval. Speaking about his role as Eric Mitchell, Russo described how he connected with the character: "I try and find a piece of music that sort of encapsulates the character so that when you listen to the music it can put you in that mind frame and put you into the characters quickly. I listen to a few pieces of music, the main one was
Folsom Prison Blues by
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
."
A preview image of the Mitchells in 1979 was released on 24 August, while it was also confirmed the episode would air on Monday 5 September at 7:30pm, on BBC One and
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer (stylised as iPLAYER or BBC iPLAYER) is a video on demand service from the BBC. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, personal computers and smart televisions. iPlayer services del ...
. Further pictures from the episode were released on 4 September, along with a brief outline of the plot.
Reception
Writing in ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally.
It was fo ...
'',
Michael Hogal gave the episode four out of five stars, and described it as "a pacy caper" that was "
Life On Mars meets
kitchen-sink drama, sensitively weaving together past and present". He praised Winstone's Peggy Mitchell, saying "within just half an hour, she made the character her own – respectfully nodding to Windsor's incarnation but succeeding on its own terms". He also described Delaney's portrayal of Phil as "terrific", but questioned why Keeble would seek her revenge against Billy rather than Phil himself, suggesting it was an aspect of the story that "wasn't clearly explained" in the episode (the following day's episode revealed that Billy had procured the gun which was used in the robbery). Winstone's Peggy was also praised by Caroline Frost, writing in the
''i'' newspaper, describing her as having "brought a subtle nuance to her portrayalbringing out the softer layers in the character that the older woman had presumably buried in the years since".
Laura Denby, writing in ''
The Radio Times
''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
'' also praised the episode, saying it had "surpassed all expectations, covering far more than just DCI Keeble's vendetta against the Mitchells and paving the way for more trips down memory lane". She noted Delaney's likeness to Steve McFadden's Phil, who "delivered a stunning character study". In the ''
Metro
Metro, short for metropolitan, may refer to:
Geography
* Metro (city), a city in Indonesia
* A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center
Public transport
* Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urba ...
'', Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay felt that "the beauty of the episode was in the fact that you could watch it without being up to date with EastEnders, and be drawn in and able to follow it", and wondered why the idea of exploring characters' back stories had not been done before: "in the same breath as I applaud the ingenuity of this episode’s concept and execution, I wonder why it has taken so long. It is setting a very interesting precedent for soap as a whole and one which could be a game changer for the better."
The episode proved to be popular with viewers, many of who took to social media to congratulate the producers for their choice of actors. In particular, Delaney's portrayal of Phil won praise, with one viewer writing that his "mannerisms are spot on. Grant & Peggy too. Great acting". Following the positive comments, Winstone thanked viewers on her
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
account: "Thank you for all your lovely messages, I am truly honoured to play such an iconic character Peggy Mitchell. This was such a special and emotional job for me. Barbara opened many doors for actresses like me and I’m eternally grateful to have known her and witness her magic, here’s to you, Barbara Windsor." The ''Radio Times'' conducted a poll asking viewers if they would like to see further flashback episodes, with 71.6 per cent of responders saying they would. ''EastEnders'' Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw has spoken of his interest in doing further flashback episodes.
Figures compiled by the
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) indicated the episode had been watched by 3.98 million viewers.
References
External links
*
{{EastEnders, state=collapsed
6550
EastEnders episodes
Television episodes set in the 1970s
Television episodes set in the 2020s
Fiction set in 1979
Fiction set in 2022
Television episodes about murder
Television episodes about domestic violence